the goan I network
PANAJI/MARGAO
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari arrived in Goa on Monday evening and immediately got into a huddle with BJP MLAs and other leaders to take stock of the protests by the mining-affected people.
Gadkari, who is in the state to inaugurate inland ferry services at Baina in Vasco is expected to meet delegations of mining-affected persons Tuesday afternoon and evening before heading back.
On Sunday, BJP president Vinay Tendulkar while urging the mining dependents to call off their strike, had assured them that they would be given an audience with the union minister Gadkari who was scheduled to arrive.
Gadkari was welcomed by Dabolim MLA and Minister of Panchayats Mauvin Godinho when he landed at the airport at 9 pm by a special flight from Belgaum.
Tendulkar on Sunday blamed Parrikar’s sudden illness for the delay and indecision.
Meanwhile, all eyes will be on the coalition government if it forcefully takes the CDC issue staring at Goan seafarers with Gadkari.
In the past, TCP Minister Vijai Sardesai and South Goa MP Narendra Sawaikar had written to Gadkari on the CDC facing Goan seafarers, as the Director General of Shipping has made SSC qualification mandatory for seamen working on the cruise liners.
So far, a number of seafarers, especially those working on cruise liners, have been barred from joining cruise liners for want of the Indian CDC.
A large number of Goan seafarers have been employed on the cruise liners, working in various positions irrespective of the educational qualifications. But, with the Director general of shipping making it mandatory SSC qualification for the Indian CDC, thousands of seafarers, including many from Goa, now face the
prospects of being unemployed.
Though the TCP Minister and the South Goa MP had taken up the issue with Gadkari over a month ago, the ground reality has remained unchanged till date.
